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Participating in the I Promise program and attending ��M�� has inspired Daysi Sandoval-Alvarado to take giant steps beyond her comfort zone. Naturally reserved, Sandoval-Alvarado, a native Honduran who was raised in Akron, has pushed herself during her first year at ��M�� to meet new people at Lake Hall, where she resides, as well as joining the Salsa Club. Just moving to Kent to attend classes from her Akron home was a big step for Sandoval-Alvarado, who is the youngest child of six in her close knit family. I Promise taught her how to see these challenges as opportunities and meet them head on. And ��M�� has provided an abundance of resources, such as tutoring and mentoring, to help smooth the transition to college for the I Promise students.

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“I had to adjust to being away from my family and adjust from high school to college work,” said Sandoval-Alvarado, 19, whose major is digital media production. “In high school, it was easier to reach out for help. But I have learned how to step outside of my comfort zone.”

The Lebron James Family Foundation’s I Promise program supports more than 1,500 Akron students in grades three through 10 through mentoring, college and career preparation and wrap-around family support. ��MŮ�� has hosted intensive summer programs in partnership with I Promise and Akron schools to show the I Promise  students that it is possible for them to overcome obstacles to attend college and to help them reach their goals.  

Since the third grade Sandoval-Alvarado has spent time at summer camps, field trips, tutoring and other I Promise activities with the same cohort of participants, which has been a recipe for success.

Her parents are also a major inspiration, having moved to the U.S. from Honduras many years ago to start a new life. Their story fuels her dream of one day graduating from ��MŮ�� to travel the world and produce films. 

“Both of my parents inspire me,” she said. “They came to this country to build a better life for their children. They took care of us so it inspires me to graduate from college so that I can take care of them.”